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International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy
Statement Calling for the Reinstatement of Reformist Legislatures Barred from Running in Iran's Parliamentary ElectionsJanuary 2004The International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy (IMPD), a coalition of international parliamentarians dedicated to the defense and promotion of democracy around the world, condemns the banning of more than 80 reformist legislators from running in the upcoming February 20 parliamentary elections. Iran's Guardian Council has disqualified 2,000 of the 8,200 candidates seeking election to Iran's parliament. Included in the list of barred legislatures are two vice speakers of parliament-Mohammad Reza Khatami, brother or President Khatami, and Behzad Nabavi. Other rejected candidates include two women activist parliamentarians, six parliamentary commission leaders, and six ethnic Kurds from the Iranian Kurdistan region. Many of the barred candidates had been vocal opponents of Iran's Islamic religious political system. Since the disqualifications, reformist members of parliament have mounted a sit-in in the parliament building. The disqualifications have also received criticism from provincial governors, cabinet members, and Vice-President Mohammad Sattarifar, all of whom have threatened to resign if the bans are not reversed by the Council. After calling for calm, President Mohammad Khatami urged disqualified candidates to appeal their cases to the Guardian Council, which will review them over the next two weeks. The International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy condemns the banning of reformist legislators and other candidates from running in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Such disqualifications prevents Iran from having free and fair elections, prevents its citizens from electing chosen representatives, and prevents elected Members of Parliament from representing their constituents. The Movement calls on Ayatollah Khamenei to use his authority to reverse the disqualification of qualified candidates based on partiality. We urge members the IMPD to raise the disqualifications with Iranian authorities and speak out against the harassment of reformists in Iran. |
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